Rev. Leroy G. Allen began to supply the pulpit of our church in 1948.  He came with his wife Gladys and son Gerald.  Rev. Allen was born in Mardeline, Missouri, in 1906.  From a young age, he was determined to become a minister, and when his family moved to Ottawa, Missouri, he was able to attend Ottawa University, a Baptist college.  After one year he transferred to the University of Kansas.  In 1929, both Rev. and Mrs. Allen graduated with an A.B. degree.  The Allens had married in 1928.  After receiving his A.B. degree, Rev. Allen attended Yale Divinity School, where he received his B.D. in 1933.  He then served a pastorate in West Haven, which he had supplied as a student.  In May of 1934, Rev. Allen was ordained by the New Haven West Association of Congregational Churches and Ministers.

Rev. Allen began a five year pastorate in 1935 in Taunton, Massachusetts and, following that pastorate, Rev. Allen supplied the pulpit of the Pawtucket Congregational Church of Lowell, Massachusetts, which he served until 1948, when he accepted the pastorate of our church.  For seven years, Rev. Allen served the people of this parish.  During his pastorate, the town was rapidly growing with new post war families, and here Rev. Allen found much to challenge him.  With the new members came new ideas and ways which did not always agree with those of the older established people of the church.  Rev. Allen had the support of many, both old and new, who kept the life of the church on an even keel most of the time.

During the pastorate of Rev. Allen, Rev. Warren T. Groff assisted Rev. Allen with the duties of the church.  Rev. Groff is presently Professor of Theology and Dean at Bethany Theological Seminary, Oak Brook, Illinois.

During Rev. Allen’s pastorate, the 225th Anniversary planning of our church took place.  Mrs. Allen was most active and effective in this important milestone in our history.  During this celebration, the church sanctuary was repainted in antique finish, and new antique satin drapes were hung.  For the celebration, our choir numbered more that 50 members, and many of the church people had a role to play in the event.

It was during Rev. Allen’s pastorate that Mr. Bradley Barnes gave a gift for the building of the Barnes Memorial Chapel in memory of his wife, who had been a member of our church.

The final year of Rev. Allen’s service was a rather difficult one, fraught with controversy.  When he was to leave, he did not know where his career was to lead him; however, on the last day of his stay here, he received an invitation to accept the post of Assistant Superintendent and Minister of Christian Education of the Colorado Congregational Conference.  Rev. Allen accepted this post and seved in this capacity from 1955 until 1958, in Denver, Colorado. Here he also served as pastor for two small churches in the outskirts of Denver.  Three interim pastorates followed, and in 1970 Rev. Allen retired.  Mr. and Mrs. Allen now travel a great deal but maintain residence in Denver.

1998 update on Rev. Leroy G. Allen
Allen’s wife, Gladys, has been dead for many years, as has their son, Gerald, who died as a young adult.  Leroy Allen now retired for 28 years in Tuscon, Arizona and sends his best wishes to his many friends in the church.